Fire Extinguishers

Types of Fire Extinguishers
Become familiarized with the proper steps in operating fire extinguishers. The 3 basic types of fire are:

A-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter
symbol A in a triangle or the picture of a burning trash can. This
extinguisher is used for ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood,
rubber, and many plastics.

B-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter
symbol B in a square or the picture of a burning gasoline can. This
extinguisher is used for flammable liquids fires such as oil, gasoline,
paints, lacquers, grease, and solvents.

C-type fires: This type of fire is designated by the letter
symbol C in a circle or an electrical plug on fire. This extinguisher is
used for electrical fires such as in wiring, fuse boxes, energized
electrical equipment, and other electrical sources.

The ABC Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher is designed to
extinguish all 3 types of fire. A fire extinguisher should be listed and
labeled by an independent testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual
(FM) or Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

How To Use a Fire Extinguisher
Remember the basics of using extinguishers. If you are called on to use your extinguisher to fight a fire,
just think of the word, PASS.

P - Pull the safety pin at the top of the extinguisher

A - Aim the nozzle, horn, or hose at the base of the flames

S - Squeeze or press the handle

S - Sweep from side-to-side 6 inches at the base of the fire until it goes out